5 Cardinals pitchers who are on short leashes

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The St. Louis Cardinals are playing above .500 baseball and riding high. It's hard to see anyone getting held back.

It would be nice to see Cardinals manager Oli Marmol refrain from removing a pitcher or player with momentum—for example, Sonny Gray and Masyn Winn. It's easy to say this afterward. The Cardinals have spent the season trying to find the right mix with the players they have, dealing with their injuries and slumps.

Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak has said he plans to seek a power-hitting right-handed center fielder, a fifth starter who can eat up some innings, and another bullpen arm. This season's trade deadline will add to what they have to make a strong playoff run.

Even with key players returning from the injured list, the Cardinals found an excellent mix for an impactful lineup. The starting rotation and bullpen still have their concerns, and until moves can be made, either by trade or promotion from the minors, some pitchers will have to have a short leash until their struggles can be resolved.

Let's discuss those pitchers who will be on a short leash.

Andre Pallante is on a short leash

Even with some outstanding outings as the team's fifth starter, the Cardinals must handle Pallante on a short leash. In 14 games, five of which were starts, Pallante is 3-3 with a 5.23 ERA. He has 26 strikeouts over 32.2 innings pitched.

Pallante He had a good outing at his last start in the Rickwood Field game in Birmingham, Alabama. It was a huge nationally broadcast game with great significance for baseball, and it was good to see him perform well.

Pallante's performances have featured him throwing to Ivan Herrera and Pedro Pagés. Willson Contreras has returned from the injured list after suffering a broken arm. Contreras may be able to help Pallante find his best stuff. We could find out this week as he's scheduled to pitch Wednesday against the Braves, who have Chris Sale on the mound.

Lance Lynn is on a short leash

The Cardinals brought Lynn into the fold as a veteran who could eat some innings and save the bullpen. This was a terrible issue during the 2023 season, and Mozeliak wanted to bring Lynn in to help. Lynn was drafted by the Cardinals and knows the system, which was another selling point in bringing him back.

Lynn has been incredibly streaky but did his job on Monday against the Braves. Now 3-3 on the season, Lynn pitched 6.2 innings, giving up four hits and one earned run, including a home run to Austin Riley. He struck out five batters. Lynn stepped up, knowing the Cardinals wanted to avoid going deep into their bullpen to give some arms a night off.

It's good to see Lynn do what he was asked to come back to St. Louis to do. He's been very streaky in his other appearances. He must be watched closely to ensure he's ready to give his best effort for the Cardinals to avoid a bullpen game. He's fully capable of doing this, and it will be fun to see him do so consistently.

JoJo Romero is on a short leash

Romero has been an excellent addition to the Cardinals bullpen. He can be effective in a number of ways, from setting up for the closer to holding down the seventh inning. He's been very reliable until recently. He seems to have fallen into a typical rut for Cardinals relievers in that he likes to make things interesting.

He may not enjoy making things interesting, but he has a knack for it. The team will be wise to keep him on a short leash to prevent overuse. Romero is a valuable arm out of the bullpen when locked in.

In 35 games, he's thrown 34.2 innings with 33 strikeouts and a 2.86 ERA. He's walked seven batters, four home runs, and 11 earned runs. On Sunday, he made things too close in his one-third of an inning of work facing three batters. He gave up two walks and two earned runs.

Hopefully, Marmol will keep a close watch on Romero, who has been a fun bullpen option for the Cardinals. He will be important as the team gets deeper into the season. The team needs his confidence riding high.

Andrew Kittredge is on a short leash

Kittredge has been another great find for the Cardinals bullpen. But lately, he has also fallen into the trap of trying to make things more interesting than being effective in getting batters out.

In 36 games, Kittredge is 1-3 with 34.2 innings of work. He has a 3.12 ERA and has struck out 32 batters. He does have 21 holds and one save this season. In his last seven games, he's pitched 7.2 innings, giving up nine hits, two walks, four earned, and four strikeouts.

Here's hope Marmol and pitching coach Dusty Blake keep a close watch on Kittredge so he will be effective late into the season.

Matthew Liberatore is on a short leash

Since acquiring Liberatore from the Tampa Rays, the Cardinals have had high hopes for him. Instead of being the left-handed ace they desired, he's become a spot starter and long reliever. That lack of a specific role for Liberatore has kept him from building toward one thing in the offseason because, without fail, each season, the role has changed to whatever they need in the moment.

He is 1-2 in 26 games this season. He has thrown 38.1 innings, garnering a 4.46 ERA and striking out 28 batters.

Expectations for Liberatore have been high, so having a role in so much flux has got to be incredibly frustrating. It would be best for him to have consistency in one set role. Until that can happen, the Cardinals must keep him on a short leash.

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